Mariam Hammad

Mariam Hammad is a registered nurse with extensive experience in critical care settings. Her career has steadily progressed from direct patient care to leadership roles, and she currently serves as Chief Nursing Officer at DHR Health. Under her leadership, DHR Health achieved significant milestones, including Trauma Level I status in 2021 and Level II status in 2020, reflecting the team's commitment to delivering high-quality patient care.

Mitch Akers

Mitch Akers is a licensed Physical Therapist from Eastland, TX and currently serves as Director of Rehabilitation and Wellness Center Manager for Eastland Memorial Hospital District. He has been with Eastland Memorial Hospital District for 10 years in direct patient care as well as administrative duties. In his current role, Mitch focuses on developing personalized treatment plans and building strong relationships with patients and families. He has a passion for the critical role rural health care plays in supporting local communities and is committed to working towards the sustainability and growth of these facilities. Mitch previously graduated from Texas Tech University with a B.S. in Animal Science before receiving his Doctor of Physical Therapy from Hardin-Simmons University.

Juan Navarro

Juan C. Navarro has served as the Assistant Chief Financial Officer at Doctors Hospital at Renaissance in Edinburg, Texas for the past 5 years and has over 16 years of healthcare experience, spanning over the Finance and Revenue Cycle areas. Juan has been an integral part to the organization’s growth over the past years as he’s consistently aided in the decision making process for developing and implemented new service lines and impactful programs that not only affect the organization itself, but for the surrounding community as well. His an unwavering commitment to organizational success and keen eye for process improvement, have provided the necessary tools employing lean methodology to eliminate non-value costs. At the age of 18 Juan move to the US from his home country of Colombia to attend college, graduating from St. Edward’s University in Austin, TX with a BBA in Accounting and a BA in Computer Information Technology. Shortly after, he moved down to the Rio Grande Valley with his McAllen-native wife, where they spend their time with their beautiful, and very busy, 13 year-old daughter.

Garcia, Nancy

Nancy Garcia, a registered nurse with 26 years of experience, including a decade as an advanced practice registered nurse-family nurse practitioner, has dedicated her career to leadership roles across various healthcare domains. Over the past 25 years, she has successfully led teams in Surgical and Procedural Services, Post-Anesthesia Care Unit, Nursing Services, Patient Flow, Respiratory, and Quality and Patient Safety. Known for her humble and caring approach, Mrs. Garcia has consistently delivered quantifiable results, developed impactful programs, implemented new service lines and demonstrated an unwavering commitment to organizational success. With a keen eve for process improvement, she efficiently identifies and addresses challenges, employing lean methodology to eliminate non-value costs. Mrs. Garcia has a history of attracting, mentoring, and retaining top talent, showcasing her competency in team building. Passionate about nursing as a profession, Mrs. Garcia actively encourages and supports advanced education and professionalism within her teams. As a strong patient advocate, she tirelessly works to enhance care settings, ensuring the highest quality patient care and outcomes while fostering a healthy work environment. Mrs. Garcia' educational journey includes earning her Associates of Applied Science Degree in Nursing in 1999. Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Phoenix in 2010, Master of Science in Nursing from the University of Texas Pan-American in 2014, and a Doctor of Nursing Practice Degree with a concentration in Executive Leadership from Abilene Christian University. Beyond her professional commitments, Mrs. Garcia is deeply engaged in community service. She volunteers as a Community Event Coordinator for the Girls Scouts Mission Service Unit and actively contributes to advisory committees for UTRGV DNP, STC Nursing and Allied, and TSTC Surgical Technology program. She has previously served on boards for community service organizations, including Rio Grande Valley Diabetes Association, TRAC-V, and DHR Health System, and acted as Quality and Patient Safety Council Co-Chair for the Texas Hospital Association. In her leisure time, Mrs. Garcia enjoys reading and graphic design. Outside of her professional and community pursuits, she finds joy in being a wife to Gus and a mother to two school-age children, Tre and Emma. The Garcia family stays actively involved in traveling to sporting events, practices, sports camps, and enjoying memorable family vacations.

Whitehead, Stephanie

Stephanie Whitehead is an accomplished professional with long standing career in the healthcare industry. Currently serving as the Executive Director of Pathology Services at a University Health hospital in South Texas, Stephanie brings a wealth of expertise and leadership to her role. With a strong commitment to delivering exceptional patient care, she oversees a team of dedicated professionals, ensuring the highest standards of pathology services are maintained. In addition to her executive responsibilities, Stephanie is also the co-host of the well-known podcast "eLABorate Topics". Through this international platform, she actively engages with experts and thought leaders in the field, fostering insightful discussions on cutting-edge advancements and challenges in the realm of healthcare and pathology. Beyond her professional commitments, Stephanie is a certified executive coach and mentor, dedicating her time and expertise to guiding others. She is an ardent advocate for various professional organizations, currently serving as the Chair for the Council of Laboratory Professionals (CLP) and on the Board of Directors for the American Society of Clinical Pathologists (ASCP). Additionally, she serves on the editorial board member for Today's Clinical Lab Magazine. Stephanie's exceptional contributions have garnered recognition and accolades. She has been honored as a 2022 ASCP 40 under 40 and the 2022 ASCLS Voices under 40 laboratory professional. Her influential impact in the field has earned her the prestigious 2023 Lab Manager Leadership Excellence Award for Influential Impact, and she has been listed on the well-regarded 2023 Cardinal Health Laboratory Excellence List. Outside of her remarkable career in laboratory medicine, Stephanie actively engages with her local community. She is involved with the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and the Girl Scouts of America, making a positive impact beyond the confines of her professional sphere.

Kernell, Shane

Shane Kernell is an experienced and respected executive currently serving as the Chief Executive Officer of Graham Regional Medical Center. He has extensive experience as the CEO of community-based acute care medical centers in Texas and over 30 years of combined healthcare experience, starting as a medic in the United States Air Force in 1991. Mr. Kernell has a history of improving all aspects of a medical center's operations, including volume growth, patient experience scores, patient outcomes, and financial performance. Mr. Kernell holds a Master's Degree in Business Administration from Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas, and a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Midwestern State University, Wichita Falls, Texas. He is board-certified in healthcare management as a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives. Throughout his career, Mr. Kernell has been active in his community, serving in various capacities for several non-profit organizations, including Rotary International and the Chamber of Commerce.

Tice, Robin

Robin Tice serves as the Chief Nursing Officer at Eastland Memorial Hospital, bringing over a decade of nursing experience to her role. As CNO, Robin has spearheaded transformative changes, overhauling staffing and minimizing the need for contract nursing. Beyond her academic and professional achievements, Robin is personally invested in nurturing the growth of her nursing team. Drawing from her own experiences, she provides mentorship and guidance, empowering nurses to advance in their capabilities and careers. Robin's leadership extends beyond the administrative realm, making a tangible impact on the professional development of her colleagues. Robin's commitment to excellence is underscored by her recent completion of the Rural Health Nurse Certification from the University of Texas at Arlington and induction into Sigma Theta Tau. These accomplishments reflect her dedication to staying at the forefront of nursing knowledge and best practices. Her focus on rural health care is evident in her efforts to expand services, ensuring quality care remains accessible to the community.

Richburg, Melanie

Dr. Melanie Ann Richburg is the CEO at Lynn County Healthcare System in Tahoka. Melanie worked as a Family Nurse Practitioner in Tahoka Texas at the Family Wellness Clinic Rural Health Clinic for 16 years until her transition to the role as CEO in 2018. In 2005, Melanie transplanted her love of Rural Health to Tahoka, Texas, where she has been the last 18 years. She works for Lynn County Hospital District (LCHD) providing care to patients seen in the Family Wellness Clinic as well as the hospital emergency and inpatient departments. In 2020 Melanie co-wrote two telemedicine grants for Lynn County Healthcare System. The organization received funding from FCC and USDA. This will assist in the placement of telemedicine equipment in Schools, Nursing Homes and Jails. Under the direction of Melanie, LCHS has expanded the delivery sites for Primary Care, opening up clinics in Post, Borden County and New Home. Fulfilling the Vision of LCHS… Healthcare Closer to Home … for more rural communities. Melanie grew up on a 180 acre cotton farm in Rural West Texas and being able to make a difference in delivering healthcare to Rural America is a dream come true. Love what you do… and do what you love… Melanie Ann Richburg loves Rural America and feels blessed every day she can give and share with her rural community.

Moss, Lisa

Lisa Carlton Moss is a dedicated and accomplished healthcare professional with a passion for improving patient outcomes and system policies. With a career spanning 27 years as a nurse, Lisa is currently serving as the System Director Policy and Safety at CHRISTUS Health. Born Snyder, TX, Lisa discovered her calling for nursing early in life. She pursued her Nursing Diploma at Methodist Hospital School of Nursing in Lubbock, TX, followed by her BSN from University of Texas Medical Branch Galveston. This solid educational foundation laid the groundwork for her future educational journey. Lisa earned her Master of Public Administration with a Healthcare Administration focus from Texas Tech University followed by a Master of Arts in Communication – Organizational Leadership from the University of Alabama. Lisa's journey in nursing began 27years ago, marked by compassion, dedication, and a commitment to providing the highest quality care to patients. Beginning in Labor and Delivery and transitioning to NICU, Lisa’s commitment to family centered care focused on compassion, equity and education shaped her drive for excellence in patient care. Over the years, she honed her clinical skills in various healthcare settings, moving into quality and patient safety earning a reputation for her exceptional principles and leadership qualities. A firm believer in the importance of continuous learning, Lisa actively engages in professional development opportunities. She stays abreast of the latest advancements in healthcare policies, ensuring that her leadership is informed by the most current industry standards. Lisa has earned her Certified Professional in Health Care Quality from the National Association of Healthcare Quality and is currently a Coach for her organization’s NAHQ Workforce Accelerator Program. In her current role as the Program Director System Policy at CHRISTUS Health, Lisa plays a pivotal role in shaping and implementing policies that enhance the overall healthcare system. Her strategic vision and collaborative approach have been instrumental in driving positive changes within the organization. Outside of her professional endeavors, Lisa is newly married and is remodeling her home with her husband, Mat. She and Mat love to travel and experience new places together. Her well-rounded approach to life enriches her perspective as a healthcare leader.

Martin, Kelly

Kelly Martin, vice president chief human resources officer, is a 21-year veteran of Texas Health Resources. She spent six years as the Entity Human Resources Officer at Texas Health Plano. During her tenure there, she focused on increased employee retention as well as top decile employee engagement results. Prior to that, Kelly worked as a Human Resources Manager and served in several employee relations roles where she worked closely with employees and others in Human Resources. Kelly has also been involved with various system projects, such as the design and deployment of the employee Grievance Program. She is certified in Mediation and Managing Workplace conflict as well as a certified Professional in Human Resources. Kelly has a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from the University of North Texas. She is the former board chair for the Assistance Center of Collin County. Outside of work she enjoys spending time with her husband of 20-years, Mark, and their 15-year-old son, Brady. They are huge baseball fans and split their time between watching Brady play select baseball or cheering on the Texas Rangers.